Hello again, anybody remember me? I've been absent from these pages for a while but used to post regularly on the Hard Training thread and ocasionally on the daily thread.

Possibly due to a virus, possibly due to over-training, or possibly a combination of the 2 I was forced to stop training for a few months, at the end of last year, due to general lethargy, dizziness, and even the odd fainting spell - disasterous for my running, but had a benefit for my music making as I managed to finish the album I've been working on for years (somehow marathon running seemed to get in the way!)

It's taken a while to get my strength back, but I'm getting there and hoping to do some road races and XC in Hampshire in the autumn - an absence of almost a year. I hope to see some of you out there.

Meanwhile here's my MySpace for the album. I'm a bit lacking in friends at the moment, so don't be shy. Let me know what you think. Was the absence worth it?

I'm taking time to progress my music making activities. I think another week off running won't do me any harm. The ECG didn't show anything, and my doc's notes now read 'post-viral'. I'm fairly relaxed about things, but I have to admit to being a little bit frustrated. No spring marathon for me I think.

S-C, your 16-miler sounds lovely. Sunday was weird down here as the island suddenly warmed up over night to a balmy 7C, yet just 8 miles north (on the 'mainland') it was still very much sub-zero for the Sunday club run. I stayed warm in bed and just turned up afterwards for brekkie! I'm secretly glad I didn't have to run through the coldest weather of my running career!

Hope you make it to FLM. As I'm not now apparently doing the Shakespear marathon, I should be able to come and spectate.

Things for me aren't so great. I've not been well since my 1:33 'disaster' at the Gosport HM in November. I feel weak, and keep getting dizzy spells, on one occasion passing out completely. My blood work hasn't shown up much other than a rather low cholesterol (I'll quiz my doc more on that - I thought that was a good thing - maybe my good cholesterol is too low) and slightly low sodium (I guessed as much from the cramp I've been getting). I get the results of the ECG on Friday, but my doc wants a 24hr ECG from me. I suspect I've had a low grade virus - I've heard tales of people getting stuff that's taken 6 weeks to get over. My doc doesn't disagree, but there's frustratingly little evidence.

Running has been sporadic. I did string a few gentle 4 mile runs together over Xmas culminating with an 8-mile social run on the Sunday, feeling much better, but it wiped me out and I've been tired ever since. No running for me this week and I'll try to get more rest (now I'm back at work - doh!).

Does this all sound familiar by any chance?

-6C on Hayling last night - I know that probably seems mild for some of you, but as we rarely get frosts on our little island surrounded by nice warm sea, that's f'in' cold!